4. Safety of Lube Ingredients

Knowing your lube ingredients can help you avoid vaginal irritation or infection and better protect your personal comfort and safety.

Personal lubricants are made from a variety of base ingredients.

The most common bases in lubes are:

Water-based lube

Silicone-based lube

Oil-based lube

Petroleum-based lube

Let’s examine the ingredients used in each of these lubes and how they can affect your safety and choice of lube.

5. Water-Based Lubricant

Water-based lube is the most widely available and commonly used personal lubricant. Water-based lubes are generally considered to be the best lubes for vaginal health however the ingredients need to be checked thoroughly.

Note: Massage oils and scented oils should not be used as personal lubricants as they can cause tissue irritation

8. Petroleum-Based Lube

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum-based lubes are not generally considered suitable for women prone to vaginal irritation or infection.

Examples of petroleum-based lube: Vaseline (petroleum jelly)

Advantages of Petroleum-Base Lube

Long lasting

Very thick

Disadvantages of Petroleum-Based Lube

Increased risk of bacterial vaginosis

Can cause vaginal irritation or inflammation

Difficult to clean off surfaces therefore more likely to harbor infection causing bacteria

Cannot be used with latex condoms, cervical caps, diaphragms or rubber sex toys

Stain fabric

9. How to Avoid Unsafe Additives and Preservative in Lubes

Additives & preservatives in some lubricants

If you are prone to vaginal irritation or infection, it’s important to check the additives and preservatives in your lube.

Additives in Lubes

Lubricant additives usually provide a specialised function for the lubricant. If you are susceptible to allergies it’s important to check the additives in your lube. Some additives can cause allergy, associated tissue damage and contribute to tissue infection.

Both plant-derived and synthetic additives have the potential to cause vaginal irritation.

Preservatives in Lubes

Preservatives are used to prevent bacterial growth in lube to prolong shelf-life. Preservatives can cause tissue irritation and sensitization in some women.

Preservatives used in lubes include parabens, sorbic acid and sorbates, benzoic acid and phenoxyethanol.

Parabens

One commonly used form of preservatives used in lubes is a group of chemical compounds known as parabens. There is dispute over the safety of parabens despite their widespread use.

To date there is no scientific evidence linking parabens to cancer and they are considered safe in low levels by the US Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organisation. There is however some concern since parabens mimic oestrogen and may be stored in the human body and therefore may accumulate over time.

Parabens may cause allergic reaction in some individuals.

Tip for identifying Parabens

To know whether your lube contains parabens, check the lube ingredients for the word “paraben” in the ending of the chemical name.

Commonly used parabens include:

Butylparaben

Methylparaben

Propylparaben

10. How to Choose the Best Lube Consistency – Liquid or Gel?

The consistency or thickness of the lube can affect lube safety. The best lube consistency for you to choose depends on how you intend to use the lube and your personal preference.

Thick gel lube tends to stay in place longer than liquid lube. If the gel is too thick it will create more resistance however thick lube can assist you protect very delicate internal tissues. Gel lube is often used for anal intercourse (rectal tissues are delicate).

Liquid lube creates more glide. If the lube is too thin it won’t provide long lasting lubrication and may need to be reapplied for longer duration use. Liquid gel is usually appropriate for inserting pelvic exercisers and for vaginal intercourse.

What Current Research Says on Lube Safety

Unfortunately there is a lack of good research into lube safety. Some studies have shown some lubes cause damage to the tiny cells the vagina and rectum, increasing the risk of some sexually transmitted diseases.1

Regulations seem to be quite relaxed regarding lubes. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not require personal lubricant testing on humans – the limited research to date has been mostly performed on animals which doesn’t necessarily apply to the human body.

1. Water Versus Silicone-Based Lubes and Safety

Water based lubricant has been associated with fewer symptoms that silicone-based lube.

A comparison study into water versus silicone based lube2 showed that that the water based lubricant was associated with less pain symptoms after sexual activity. This study found that both water and silicone-based lubricants used were rarely associated with adverse symptoms when used for sexual activity.

2. Avoid Spermicide Lubes with Nonoxynol – 9

Nonoxynol – 9 is a detergent used in spermicides. Evidence strongly suggests women should avoid lubricants containing Nanoxynol -9 bacause it causes damage to cells lining the vagina or rectum.

More specifically, Nanoxynol – 9 has been found to be associated with vaginal irritation (vaginal itching and burning).3

Multiple uses of Nanoxynol – 9 may increase the likelihood of HIV infection since damaged tissues may provide a route for HIV infection.4

3. Avoid Lubricants with High pH (Acidity)

The World Health Organization recommends that women avoid personal lubricants with high pH.6

The vagina is normally slightly acidic with a pH of 3.8- 4.5. High vaginal pH increases the risk of an imbalance in the naturally occurring bacteria within the vagina and causes bacterial vaginosis.

Lubes with high pH increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis – the best lube for maintaining healthy levels of vaginal bacteria has pH of close to 4.5.

4. Avoid Lubricants with High Osmolarity (Ingredient Concentration)

The osmolarity or overall concentration of ingredients in a personal lubricant can cause vaginal irritation by damaging the cells lining the vagina.

A hyperosmolar lubricant is one that has highly concentrated ingredients. Highly concentrated lubricants cause more tissue irritation and damage because they cause the tiny cells that line the vagina or rectum to shrivel up and fall off.

Glycerol and propylene glycol are substances commonly used in personal lubricants that can be found in high concentrations. One study showed that lubricants applied to the rectum containing high concentrations of glycerin and propylene glycol significantly damaged cells lining the human rectum.5 The researchers state that cell damage caused by lubricants having high concentrations of these substances may increase susceptibility to HIV transmission.

Lubricants containing polyquaternium should also be avoided in personal lubricants for personal safety until further research is on HIV infection and lubricants containing this compound.6